The NASCAR Cup Series Championship will take place with a 10-race series featuring the top 16 drives who qualified for the Chase to determine the 2020 champion. Let’s take a look at those 16, give you their betting odds, and why they have a chance to take down the title. Here’s a look:
Drivers – NASCAR Championship
Kevin Harvick +180
Harvick has been the best on the circuit this season. He is the top-ranked driver currently. His 21 Top 10 finishes in 26 starts, along with 15 trips in the top five, and seven wins are by far the best. Harvick also leads with nearly 1,120 laps led.
Denny Hamlin +250
Hamlin is ranked second with his six wins and 17 finishes in the top 10. Hamlin and Harvick have been had incredible seasons, and there would be no surprise if they were 1-2 when this series is complete.
Chase Elliott +700
Elliott is currently ranked fifth, but his two wins this season have both been impressive. Elliott is an elite driver with the Hendricks Motorsport team, and has more than 2,000 points on the season. Do not be surprised if Elliott comes away with the victory.
Brad Keselowski +750
The No. 2 Ford has seen its share of success this season. Keselowski has finished with three wins and been in the top 10 19 times this season. Keselowski would be one of the betting favorites if it were not for the amazing seasons both Harvick and Hamlin are having.
Martin Truex Jr. +650
A member of the Joe Gibbs Racing team, Truex ranks sixth in the standings with 2,014 points. Truex has won one race this season but has been in the top five 11 times. Many are expecting big things from him.
Kyle Busch +1000
Kyle Busch is one of the few remaining without a win this season. He is the defending NASCAR Cup Series Champion. Busch ranks sixth despite going 26 races without a win. He is also a member of the Joe Gibbs Racing Team and has the largest odds of all of them but still in the top six.
Kurt Busch +3000
It has not been a banner season for the Busch boys, as Kurt is another that has yet to win a race. Kurt is listed at +3000, but we have seen his potential in past seasons.
Joey Logano +1000
Logano is another Team Penske racer, and he finished with 2,022 points, which was fourth overall. He is a guy who can quietly accumulate top finishes and be there in the end. Logano is listed at +1000.
Ryan Blaney +1200
There are many that like this guy and his abilities. It was not a terrific season for Blaney, but finishing seventh in points certainly is not a poor season. Blaney will be tested throughout the two months and is listed at +1200.
Aric Almirola +3000
Almirola is another racer in the finals but did not pick up a single win this season. He finished 12th in total points, just behind Custer, and ahead of Bowyer. It will be interesting to see what his car can do for the stretch run.
William Byron +3500
The 23-year-old from Charlotte, NC, is one that we want to keep our eyes on. He has the one win on the season, but has recorded 26 top 10 finishes and run in nearly 100 races over three seasons. You will find him driving the No. 24 Hendricks Motorsport car, and he will look to capitalize and improve upon his 11th-place finish a season ago.
Clint Bowyer +4500
Driving the No. 14 Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing, the 41-year-old is going to be one of the most experienced drivers in the competition. In over 16 years, Bowyer has raced in nearly 540 races. His first race was back in 2005, and he later earned his first win in 2007. His last win, though, was in 2018 at Michigan. While he may be a top 10 threat, his chances of winning it all are not great.
Alex Bowman +3500
Alex Bowman is 27 but, do not be surprised if you see his No. 88 Chevrolet Camaro car pushing the leaders. He has yet to finish better than 12th overall, but, in his career, he has 34 top 10 finishes. His first win came in 2019 in Chicago, and his most recent was earlier this year at Fontana. Bowman is handicapping at +3500 for the NASCAR Championship.
Matt DiBenedetto +4500
DiBenedetto has yet to win a race this season and just snuck in with 2,000 points. He is part of the Wood Brothers Racing team and a relative unknown in the racing field.
Cole Custer +6000
His win in Kentucky in July earned his postseason berth. Custer finished with 2,005 points. He is a member of the Stewart-Haas Racing Group.
Austin Dillion +6000
Much like Custer, he picked up the one win to make him eligible for the postseason. His win came in July and was done in Texas. Dillion finished 10th on points with 2,007. Dillion is a member of the Richard Childress Racing team.
Handicapping for the NASCAR Championship Recap
The schedule will get started Sept. 6 and run for two months, with the final race Nov. 8 in Phoenix. Darlington, Richmond, and Bristol are the hosts of the first three races. We look forward to seeing how this shakes out. There are some great racers, and you never know what will happen. Good luck!
